Page 32 of The Major's Mistake
Her eyes widened in shock.
“I worried that I had not the graces to keep your attention,” went on Julian, no matter that saying the words was far more painful than the fire in his leg. “Averill used to tease me about how?—”
Her body went very rigid at the mention of the marquess’s good friend.
“I’m sorry,” he said haltingly. “That was extremely cow-handed of me. I did not mean to mention his name.” He cleared his throat. “I understand how you would naturally hold it against him for being the one to come to me, but he took no pleasure in it. He told me over and over that only his strict code of honor as a gentleman forced him to?—”
“You understand nothing!” she cried.
“But—”
The sound of pounding hooves interrupted the marquess’s reply. Sykes materialized from out of the twilight and reined his mount to halt next to the riderless Zeus.
“Guv!” he shouted, standing in his stirrups to search in all directions. His hand began reach for the pistol in his coat pocket.
“Hell and damnation,” muttered Julian under his breath before answering his valet’s urgent hail.
The look of concern on Sykes’s face eased on catching sight of the marquess. It changed, however, to one of contrition on seeing Miranda seated close at his side.
“Er, sorry.” His eyes flicked from one tense face to the other. “I heard several shots a while back, and as darkness was beginning to set in, and you hadn’t returned, guv, I thought I’d best have a look around. Then I saw Zeus here, standing all alone, and well—I didn’t mean to come thundering in like a banshee and all ….”
Miranda rose hastily. “I’m sure His Lordship appreciates your concern, Mr. Sykes. I am afraid it is I who have caused his delay. As you say, it is getting late and I should return home—” Her words stopped short as she noticed his palm still resting on the butt of his pistol. A furrow came to her brow. “You are armed, Mr. Sykes. What cause have you for such measures here in Hingham? Why would you think the His Lordship is in any sort of danger?”
Sykes coughed as he looked to Julian for help. Miranda turned her gaze on him as well.
“There is no danger,” he replied quickly. “Sykes is merely being cautious. It’s a … habit from the Peninsula.”
Her frown deepened, betraying the fact that his rushed assurance had not fooled her in the least. “Does your being here have anything to do with the recent unrest in the area?”
It was a moment before he answered. “I am having a look around for a friend in the Home Office. There is reason to believe that the current troubles are being stirred up by?—”
Sykes coughed again, this time even louder. “Here now, guv. You sure you want to be telling Mrs. Ransford about that?” he asked as he dismounted and went to lead Zeus over to Julian’s side.
Julian directed an icy look at his valet. “I believe Lady Miranda can be trusted with such knowledge.”
“What I meant was, are you sure that in knowing what you are up to, she won’t be put in danger herself?”
Julian pursed his lips, but before he could answer, Miranda spoke up.
“I believe I am capable of making that decision for myself, Mr. Sykes.” She turned back to the marquess. “Milord, I would prefer to know what it is you suspect.”
“Whitehall fears the trouble is being instigated by an outsider—one with ties abroad. Unrest here in the north, especially if it spills into Scotland, could greatly hinder our efforts on the Continent.”
“That would be a serious matter, indeed.” She paused to consider the import of his words. “From what I have seen, the people around here are good, decent folk, but times are very hard, and when one’s family has no food, men can be stirred to do desperate things. Still, I cannot believe they would be a party to treason.”
“Not knowingly.” Julian’s expression turned grim as he got to his feet. “I have seen how difficult things are with my own eyes. You may rest assured that no family on any land of mine shall worry about going hungry.”
“I have heard of your generosity,” said Miranda softly. “That is very good of you, sir.” Her hands twitched at the folds of her gown in some agitation. “I will keep my eyes and ears openon my visits to the surrounding farms. Perhaps I may hear something of use to you. But now, I really must go, before Aunt Sophia begins to wonder what has become of me. Good eveningt, milord. Good evening, Mr. Sykes.” There was a slight hesitation. “Have a care. Both of you.”
Julian placed a hand on her arm. “I will see you home, Miranda.”
“That’s hardly necessary, sir. I have no reason to fear any harm.”
“It is not safe to be out alone after dark, not with the current situation and prospect of strangers in the area.”
Before she could argue, his hands came around her waist and lifted her up across his saddle. His boot found the stirrup and he swung up behind her, settling her close to his chest.
The big stallion set off at an easy canter, with Sykes bringing up the rear.
